Patent application title: CLEANING DEVICE INCLUDING A PIVOT JOINT

Abstract:

A cleaning device including a cleaning member and a handle connected to
the cleaning member. The handle includes a first member and a second
member. The first member includes a ball member and the second member
includes a socket. The ball member being disposed in the socket to couple
the first member and the second member and enable the second member to
pivot with respect to the first member.

Claims:

1. A household cleaning device comprising:a cleaning member; anda handle
connected to the cleaning member, the handle including a first member and
a second member, the first member including a ball member and the second
member including a socket, the ball member being disposed in the socket
to couple the first member and the second member and enable the second
member to pivot with respect to the first member;wherein the socket
comprises a slot having a ball-shaped upper portion and an elongated
lower portion.

2. The household cleaning device of claim 1, which includes a first
connector including the socket and a second connector including the ball
member, wherein the first connector is removably connected to the first
member and the second connector is removably connected to the second
member.

3. The household cleaning device of claim 2, wherein at least one of the
first and second members includes a cavity, at least one of the first
connector and the second connector including ridges which frictionally
engage an inside surface of the cavity.

4. The household cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the first member
includes a grip.

5. The household cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning member
is at least one of: a brush, a dust mop and a mop.

6. A household cleaning device comprising:a cleaning member; anda handle
connected to the cleaning member, the handle including a first member and
a second member, the first member including a ball member and the second
member including a socket, the ball member being disposed in the socket
to couple the member and the second member and enable the second member
to pivot with respect to the first member; anda sleeve slidably connected
to the handle and movable between a first position, which allows the
second member to pivot, and a second position, which does not allow the
second member to pivot.

7. The household cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the second member
includes a prong-shaped collar and the sleeve defines a prong-shaped end,
and wherein the prong-shaped end of the sleeve engages the prong-shaped
collar when the sleeve is in the second position.

8. The household cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the sleeve includes
an actuator, which when activated, releases the sleeve from one of the
first and second positions.

9. The household cleaning device of claim 6, which includes a first
connector including the socket and a second connector including the ball
member, wherein the first connector is removably connected to the first
member and the second connector is removably connected to the second
member.

10. The household cleaning device of claim 6, wherein at least one of the
first and second members includes a cavity, at least one of the first
connector and the second connector including ridges which frictionally
engage an inside surface of the cavity.

11. The household cleaning device of claim 6, wherein the cleaning member
is at least one of: a brush, a dust mop and a mop.

12. A household cleaning device comprising:a cleaning member; anda handle
connected to the cleaning member, the handle including a first member and
a second member, the first member defining a socket and the second member
defining an opening, the socket comprising a slot having a ball-shaped
upper portion and an elongated lower portion; anda pivot member including
a first end having a ball member and an opposing second end, the second
end being disposed in the opening and secured to the second member, and
the ball member being disposed in the socket to couple the first member
and the second member and enable the second member to pivot with respect
to the first member.

13. The household cleaning device of claim 12, which includes a sleeve
that is slidably connected to the handle and movable between a first
position, which allows the second member to pivot, and a second position
which at least partially covers the pivot assembly and which does not
allow the second member to pivot.

14. The household cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the second member
includes a prong-shaped collar and the sleeve defines a prong-shaped end,
and wherein the prong-shaped end of the sleeve engages the prong-shaped
collar when the sleeve is in the second position.

15. The household cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the sleeve includes
an actuator, which when activated, releases the sleeve from one of the
first and second positions.

16. The household cleaning device of claim 13, which includes a first
connector including the socket and a second connector connected to the
pivot member, wherein the first connector is removably connected to the
first member and the second connector is removably connected to the
second member.

17. The household cleaning device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the
first and second members includes a cavity, at least one of the first
connector and the second connector including ridges which frictionally
engage an inside surface of the cavity.

18. The household cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the cleaning member
is at least one of: a brush, a dust mop and a mop.

Description:

REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

[0001]This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 11/716,098,
filed Mar. 9, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002]There are many different types of cleaning devices and tools which
are used to clean counters, walls, floors and other surfaces. Some
cleaning devices are handheld devices, such as scrub brushes and the like
which are held in a user's hand and moved across a surface to remove and
clean the surface. Other cleaning devices include handles which enable
the user to extend the cleaning device to places spaced from the user.
Such handles also enable a user to be able to stand while cleaning, such
as the handles on most brooms, dust sweepers and mops.

[0003]In particular, brooms, dust sweepers and mops have elongated
handles. These handles are typically made out of wood, steel or some
other durable material which enables the user to hold the cleaning device
and maneuver it along the floor, wall or other similar surface to clean
those surfaces. Such handles, however, make cleaning under items such as
couches and coffee tables, difficult, because the user has to bend down
or significantly lower the handle of the cleaning device to be able to
extend the cleaning end of the device under the item. This makes cleaning
floors and other surfaces that underlie these items difficult.
Additionally, a user typically has to bend his or her body, crouch down
closer to the floor, or both, to be able to maneuver the end of the
cleaning device under such items. This adds stress to the user's body as
well as making such work burdensome, difficult and tiring.

[0004]It is known to provide handles with sections which can pivot
relative to each other, but typically such handles can pivot about one
axis or use as a pivot joint, a coil spring which lacks rigidity and
impairs control.

[0005]Accordingly, there is a need for an improved handle for a cleaning
device that overcomes the above problems.

SUMMARY

[0006]One embodiment provides a cleaning device including a cleaning
member and a handle connected to the cleaning member. The handle includes
a first member and a second member. The first member includes a ball
member and the second member includes a socket. The ball member is
disposed in the socket to couple the first member and the second member
and enable the second member to pivot with respect to the first member.

[0007]In an embodiment, the socket includes a plurality of fingers.

[0008]In an embodiment, the fingers are made of at least one of: a
flexible material and a rigid material.

[0009]In an embodiment, the socket includes a slot having a ball-shaped
upper portion and a elongated lower portion.

[0010]In an embodiment, the cleaning device includes a first connector
including the socket and a second connector including the ball member.
The first connector is removably connected to the first member and the
second connector is removably connected to the second member.

[0011]In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second members
includes a cavity, where at least one of the first connector and the
second connector includes ridges which frictionally engage an inside
surface of the cavity.

[0012]In an embodiment, the first member includes a grip.

[0013]In an embodiment, the cleaning member is at least one of: a brush, a
dust mop and a mop.

[0014]Another embodiment provides a cleaning device including a cleaning
member and a handle connected to the cleaning member. The handle includes
a first member and a second member. The first member includes a ball
member and the second member includes a socket. The ball member is
disposed in the socket to couple the first member and the second member
and enable the second member to pivot with respect to the first member.
The cleaning device also includes a sleeve slidably connected to the
handle and movable between a first position, which allows the second
member to pivot, and a second position, which does not allow the second
member to pivot.

[0015]In an embodiment, the second member includes a prong-shaped collar
and the sleeve defines a prong-shaped end, where the prong-shaped end of
the sleeve engages the prong-shaped collar when the sleeve is in the
second position.

[0016]In an embodiment, the sleeve includes an actuator, which when
activated, releases the sleeve from one of the first and second
positions.

[0017]In an embodiment, the cleaning device includes a first connector
that includes the socket and a second connector that includes the ball
member. The first connector is removably connected to the first member
and the second connector is removably connected to the second member.

[0018]In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second members
includes a cavity, where at least one of the first connector and the
second connector includes ridges which frictionally engage an inside
surface of the cavity.

[0019]In an embodiment, the cleaning member is at least one of: a brush, a
dust mop and a mop.

[0020]A further embodiment provides a cleaning device including a cleaning
member and a handle connected to the cleaning member. The handle includes
a first member and a second member. The first member defines a socket and
the second member defines an opening. The cleaning device also includes a
pivot member including a first end having a ball member and an opposing
second end. The second end is disposed in the opening and secured to the
second member. The ball member is disposed in the socket to couple the
first member and the second member and enable the second member to pivot
with respect to the first member.

[0021]In an embodiment, the cleaning device includes a sleeve that is
slidably connected to the handle and movable between a first position,
which allows the second member to pivot, and a second position which at
least partially covers the pivot assembly and which does not allow the
second member to pivot.

[0022]In an embodiment, the second member includes a prong-shaped collar
and the sleeve defines a prong-shaped end, where the prong-shaped end of
the sleeve engages the prong-shaped collar when the sleeve is in the
second position.

[0023]In an embodiment, the sleeve includes an actuator, which when
activated, releases the sleeve from one of the first and second
positions.

[0024]In an embodiment, the cleaning device includes a first connector
including the socket and a second connector connected to the pivot
member, where the first connector is removably connected to the first
member and the second connector is removably connected to the second
member.

[0025]In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second members
includes a cavity, where at least one of the first connector and the
second connector includes ridges which frictionally engage an inside
surface of the cavity.

[0026]In an embodiment, the cleaning member is at least one of: a brush, a
dust mop and a mop.

[0027]It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a
cleaning device which enables a user to easily clean hard to reach
places.

[0028]Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cleaning
device including a handle having a pivot joint which enables a user to
easily clean floors and other surfaces.

[0029]A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a
cleaning device including a handle having a pivot joint which minimizes
the stress on a user's body during cleaning.

[0030]Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to
like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device of the present
invention where the cleaning device includes a handle with a pivot joint.

[0032]FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of a portion of
FIG. 1 illustrating the pivot joint.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleaning device of FIG. 1
wherein the handle of the cleaning device is pivoted about the pivot
joint to clean under a table.

[0034]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view of an embodiment
of the pivot joint of FIG. 2.

[0035]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section view of the pivot joint taken
substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2, wherein the sleeve of the
pivot joint is shown in the open position.

[0036]FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, wherein the sleeve is shown in
the closed position.

[0037]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the
pivot joint.

[0038]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the pivot joint of FIG. 7.

[0039]FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of the pivot joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040]The present invention is directed to a cleaner, such as a floor
cleaner, for a home, office, or other area. Referring to FIG. 1, the
cleaning device or cleaner 100 includes an elongated handle 102 and a
cleaning member 116 connected to the handle. A user grasps the handle 102
and moves the cleaning member across a surface such as a floor to clean
that surface. The handle 102 may be any suitable size or length.
Additionally, the cleaning member 116 can be any suitable cleaning member
such as a broom or brush, sweeper, dust mop, mop and the like. In an
embodiment, the cleaning member 116 is removably connected to the handle
102 so that the cleaning member can be replaced as needed or
interchangeable with other cleaning members, such as those described
above.

[0041]The handle 102 includes first and second members 104 and 106 joined
by a pivot joint or pivot assembly 108. The pivot assembly 108 enables
the first and second members 104 and 106 to pivot relative to each other
about a point intermediate the ends of the handle so that the cleaner 100
can be maneuvered to clean under items such as couches and tables as
shown in FIG. 3. The pivot assembly 108 of the handle 102 allows the
handle to be bent, angled or pivoted to clean in hard to reach places of
a floor or other surface without causing the user to have to bend down,
squat down, or perform some other function which stresses their body.

[0042]Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the pivot assembly 108 includes a first
connector 110 and a second connector 112, which are coupled together by a
pivot member or pivot post 130. The first connector 110 includes a
connecting portion 132 and a pivot portion 136. The connecting portion
132 includes friction ridges 134 which are elongated, protruding portions
of the connecting portion 132 that frictionally engage an inside surface
or inside wall of a cavity or opening 115 in the first member 104 as the
connecting portion 132 of the first connector 110 is inserted into the
opening 115 defined by the first member 104. The friction fit between the
connecting portion 132 of first connector 110 and the inside surface of
the first member 104 securely holds the first connector 110 and the first
member 104 together. The pivot portion 136 of the first connector
includes a plurality of fingers 138. The fingers 138 are generally
triangularly shaped as shown in FIG. 4. It should be appreciated that the
fingers 138 may be any suitable size or shape. The fingers may be made of
a durable, flexible material. In another embodiment, the fingers may be
made of a rigid material. It should be appreciated that the fingers may
be made of any suitable material or combination of materials. In the
illustrated embodiment, the pivot portion 136, and more specifically, the
fingers 138 define a receptacle or socket 139 for receiving pivot post
130 as described below.

[0043]The second connector 112 has a rounded portion 146 and a connecting
portion 150 which are integrally formed. It should be appreciated that
the rounded portion 146 and the connecting portion 150 may be separate
components that are connected together. The connecting portion 150
includes a plurality of friction ridges 152 similar to the ridges of the
first connector 110. The friction ridges 152 engage an inside surface of
an opening or cavity 117 in the second member 106 to frictionally secure
the second connector 112 to the second member 106. The rounded portion
146 includes a plurality of protruding guides 148 which are generally
oval-shaped. It should be appreciated that the guides 148 may be any
suitable size or shape. Specifically, the guides 148 are designed to fit
in between the fingers 138 of the first connector.

[0044]The first member 104 and the second member 106 are coupled together
by the pivot assembly 108. The pivot post 130 includes a shaft 140, a
ball-shaped head or ball 142 and a threaded end 144. The threaded end 144
is disposed in or inserted in an opening 145 defined by the rounded
portion 146 and is threadingly engaged in that opening to securely hold
the pivot post in engagement with the second connector 112.

[0045]To connect the pivot post to the first member, the ball 142 is
pushed against the ends of the fingers 138 until the fingers flex
outwardly to allow the ball 142 to move into the receptacle or socket 139
defined by the fingers 138. The receptacle or socket 139 is formed in
such a way that the ball 142 and, more specifically, the second member
106 of the handle 102 can pivot in many different directions.
Alternatively, it should be appreciated that the second member can have
the fingers 138 forming socket 139 and the pivot member or pivot post 130
can be integrally formed with or secured to the first member.

[0046]Referring to FIG. 9, in an alternative embodiment, the first member
104 includes a "keyhole" like opening 141 instead of the fingers 138. The
opening 141 includes a generally circular top opening 143 and an
elongated slot opening 145 that extends from the top opening 143. The
rounded top opening 143 has a size and shape that corresponds to the size
and shape of the ball member 142. The width of slot opening 145
corresponds to the size or width of shaft 140. To couple the top and
bottom members together, the ball member 142 is disposed in the rounded
top opening 143. The second member 106 is moved downwardly so that the
shaft 140 moves downward through the slot opening 145 until the ball
member 143 is in socket 139.

[0047]In another alternative embodiment, the pivot member or pivot post
130 is moved downwardly through an opening extending the length of the
first member until the ball member 142 is in the socket 139 and the shaft
140 extends from the socket. The threaded end of the pivot post 130 is
then secured in an opening 145 defined by the top of second member as
described above.

[0048]A sleeve 114 is slidably connected to at least one of the first and
second members of 104 and 106. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 6, the
sleeve 114 is slidably connected to the first member and slides or moves
between a first, open or pivoting position, and a second, closed or
non-pivoting position. In the first or open position, shown in FIGS. 1
and 5, sleeve 114 is moved along the first member 104 and away from the
pivot joint or pivot assembly 108, so that the first connector can pivot
with respect to the second connector. In the first or open position, the
first and second members 104 and 106 are able to pivot with respect to
each other and enable the user to clean hard to reach places on a floor
and other surfaces. During pivoting the post 140 moves into a slot
between adjacent fingers 138. There are plural slots providing plural
pivot axes, the number of which is determined by the number of fingers.

[0049]Alternatively, if a user wants the handle 102 to be straight and
non-pivoting, the user grasps the sleeve 114 and slides it toward the
cleaning member 116 until the sleeve 114 at least partially covers the
first and second connectors 110 and 112. As shown in FIG. 6, in an
embodiment, the sleeve 114 completely surrounds or covers the pivot
assembly 108 and prevents the first and second members 104 and 106 from
pivoting with respect to each other. The sleeve 114, therefore, is moved
between the first or open position where the first and second members 104
and 106 can pivot with respect to each other and the closed or
non-pivoting position which prevents the handle 102 from pivoting at the
pivot joint or pivot assembly.

[0050]The cleaner 100, and more specifically, the handle 102, also
includes a grip 126, made of an elastomeric material or other suitable
material, that defines an opening 128. The opening enables a user to be
able to insert a hook or other device though the opening to hang the
cleaner for storage. It should be appreciated that the grip 126 may
include one or more openings.

[0051]Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, and alternative embodiment of the
pivot assembly is shown wherein a handle 200 includes a first member 202
and a second member 204 which are coupled together to pivot with respect
to each other. The first member 202 includes a friction post 206 and has
an annular flange 208. The friction post 206 is insertable into an end of
a hollow first handle 230. The first member 202 defines an elongated slot
210, and a movable sleeve 212 that includes a clip 213 which engages the
slot and is secured to the sleeve to hold the sleeve in place and guide
the sleeve along the slot 210 to prevent relative rotational movement.
The first member 202 includes a first connector 211 which includes
fingers 214 and defines a receptacle as described above. The connector
211 may be generally tubular and frictionally fit over a reduced-diameter
portion 222 of the first member 202.

[0052]The second member 204 includes a round dome-shaped portion 216 and
raised ridges 218. The ridges 218 may be any suitable size and shape and
engage the corresponding shapes of the internal pattern 215, as shown in
FIG. 7. In an embodiment, the sleeve 212 may include an actuator or
button 217 which engages or releases the clip 213 with the slot 210 so
that the sleeve 212 may be moved or stopped with respect to the first
connector 202. In another embodiment, the sleeve 212 does not include
actuator 217. In this embodiment, the sleeve 212 is slidably connected to
at least one of the first and second members as described above.

[0053]A pivot post 220 couples the first member 202 to the second member
204. The pivot post 220 includes a ball shaped end or ball 224 and a
threaded end 226. The threaded end 226 is inserted into an opening 228
defined by the dome-shaped portion of the second member 202 that is
threadingly engaged inside the opening to hold it securely to the second
member. The pivot post 220 enables the first and second members 202 and
204 to pivot with respect to each other to allow a user to pivot or bend
the handle about the pivot point to be able to easily reach
difficult-to-clean areas under a countertop, table, bed or any low
standing area, in the manner described above. It should be appreciated
that the pivot post can be integrally formed with the first or second
member or be a separate component that can be secured to the first or
second member.

[0054]In an embodiment, a first handle tube 230 is sized to slide over
friction post 206 of the first member. A second handle tube 232 is
connected to the second member 204 in a suitable manner.

[0055]In the above embodiments, it should be appreciated that the cleaning
member 116 may be any suitable cleaning member such as a broom head,
brush, sweeper, dust mop, mop or other suitable cleaning member. Also in
the above embodiments, the cleaner 100 and 200 are made of a combination
of plastics and steel, such as stainless steel. It should be appreciated
that the cleaner 100 and 200 may be made of any suitable material or
combination of materials.

[0056]While the present invention is described in connection with what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,
it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and
equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the
claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made
without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in
the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the
claims.